The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-09-27
The City Already Overrun by More
than 10000 Veteran Soldiers.
Doubts Expressed that the Quarters Prepared
Will Be Sufficient, While Even the Com
missary Supplies May Run Short.
Politics Projects Its Shadow Over the
Encampment's Deliberations.
A Number of Questions to Come Up for Dis
cussion Which Are Likely to Cause
Sharp Debate, if Not Bitter Feeling.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal

special to the Indianapolis Journal
ST. LOUIS, No., Sept. 26.-The boys in blue
and their friends have taken the city by storm
to-day and from daylight until far into the
night one continuous procession of grip-sacks
has poured itself out of the Union Depot. From
o'clock onward there was Lot lapse of half
an hour without a train, and the local reception
committee, although its numbers had been
inforced, found it impossible to handle the peo-
pie that crowded upon them. There were times
when chaos reigned supreme, and even when the
awful rush of the Knights Templars' conclave
was more than surpassed. Up to o'clock this
afternoon the official reports to the headquarters
of the local committee showed that over 20. 900
ex-soidiers were already upon the ground, and.
AS every train brought in more spectators than
Grand Army men. it was figured out that fully
$4,000 strangers were in the city. This
does not, probably, represent more than one
third of the number that will be here by to-
morrow. for the delegations from many of the
principal States, including Illinois and Pennsyl-
vania. we'll the big excursion trains.
yet to arrive at this writing. Whether this
great multitude can be housed. even If it can be
fed, is serious question. Not room-not
even cot undetermined at any of the hotels
after 10 o'clock. and the clerks were driven well
nigh to distraction by the crowds that beseged
the desks and begged and pleaded for even
place to lay their heads. Every lodging house
within a radius of mile of the old courthouse
is pretty we'll filled up, and plenty of people
have been glad to secure accommodations two
three miles away. The rush. in fact, has
upset all calculations. AS example, accom-
modations had been ordered in ad-
vance for 800 Celfornians, and when
the train came in, what with wives,
and children, and friends. they were 1.5O0
strong. The same in greater or lesser degree
is true of almost every delegation that has put
in an appearance. To make matters worse, the
rain of to-day has SO thoroughly saturated thes
tents in which the rank and file of the veterans
were to be sheltered that the prospect of their
occupancy is anything but inviting. and the
men who a score of years ago. would have been
perfectly contented with existing conditions, are
hardly willing to add to the infrmities of ad-
vancng age by sleeping upon the damp ground |
The executive committee. however. has ne,
allowed itself to get ratified and it's members &c
a unit express themselves as confident that pro-
vision can be found for all that come.
The arrivals to-day included the divisions from
Kansas Colorado. Tennessee. Georgia. Maine
and Wyoming. Most of them brought either a
band or fife and drum corps, and despite the
rain and mud they marched merrily through
the streets to the martial strains Of the music.
They hardly waited to get the dust from their
clothes, or replensh the wants of the inner man.
before they were mingling with the crowds in
the lobbies of the hotels, seeking out old ac-
quaintances. and renewing the associations of
years gone by. Many an affecting drama was
enacted as men who had not met each
themselves face to face. Hands were
grasped with hearty fervor, shoulders were
slapped necks hugged, aud every conceivable
manifestation of Joy aid pleasure was INDUCED
in by the gray-headed veterans Every now
and then somebody would start Marching
through Georgia or some other war song. and
the welkin ring. Good nature and iollity were
the order of the day and night and altogether
the veterans having such a time as they
have seldom If ever had before.
Now that the delegations are getting
gether there is more discussion than there was
Yesterday. although in quiet way, of the prin-
cipal questions that will engross the considera
ton of the encampment convention. The
friends Of MajorGeneral Grier of this city. and
Congressman Warner. of Kansas City, are
working like beavers in the interest of their
respective candidates for the position of com
manderi in chief but they somewhat ham
pered by the unwritten rule and precedent,
venton is held the senior vice-conmander. The
New Workers have put a quietus upon the
reports that General Slocum was
out of the race by inaugurating a vigorous move
Maj Geo. FL. Treadwell insists tonight that his
chances are emiuently favorable. He has also
come out in an interview which is the talk of the
lobbies tonight, in which he boldly gives po-
ltica turn to the canvass by declaring that it is
almost time the Grand Army elected Demo
crat to the position. On the other hand. some
of the most influential delegates from Eastern
States say emphaticay that the political ques-
tion must be kept out of sight, and that in view
of recent occurrences the best interests of the
order emphatically demand that the position
should be conferred upon a comrade who has
never been known as politician. Unless this
is done, they say there may be trouble in store
gone by
1t is an open question as to whether the rebel
flag episode will be introduced into the encamp-
ment II 1t is, there will be trouble 1t ls said
to- might that of the delegates, who is a per-
sonal friend OF General Black has brought with
him a series of resolutions embodying a bitter
of the course of Tuttle and Fair
child, and that he will submit them at all
hazards. Let him do So" said a post COM
when he heard of this report
land he will hear Rome howl. and be sat down
upon never a man has been sat upon in an en-
before
In discussion of the pension question, special
reference will be made to the action of the Pres
dent in vetoing the bill granting pension of
300 monthly 70 Col. Gowen Burrit, of Brad
ford county. Pennsylvania. who has been bed
ridden for fifteen years, from a complaint
tracted in the war, and unable to move muscle
Of his body without assistance. and resolution
censurine the President: and comparing the case
same pension, is likely to be submitted. This
too, will give rise to a warm debate.
The third important matter is the proposition
TO grant authorization for the formation of
Grand Army posts composed exclusively of
,olored men in the sterritory south of Mason
and Dixon's line This has many supporters
and also large mum Der of opponents.
The Milwaukee delegation has started in to
get the next encampment for that city, and
every delegate is being furnished with a circular
pointing out the innamerable advantages OF the
Cream City; but the Pennsylvanians also want
20 have the encanpment at Gettysburg a
quarter century celebration of the anniversary
IF that battle. and so far they have the best of
he contest
Dripping Wet, but Enthusiastic.
70 the Western Associated Press.
ST.. LOUIS, Sept. ga national salute from
camp Washington heralded the dawning of day
xhn I4hoa